The Jewel Ornament of Liberation (Könchog Gyaltsen)

Book

The Jewel Ornament of Liberation is a masterwork of Tibetan Buddhism. For more than eight centuries, this text has provided a complete foundation for Buddhist study and practice–covering the initial entry into the path and continuing through to the achievement of Buddhahood. It includes teachings on Buddha-nature, finding a spiritual master, impermanence, karma, the cultivation of bodhicitta, the development of the six perfections, the ten Bodhisattva bhumis, Buddhahood, and the activities of a buddha.

(Source: back cover)

Citation	Gyaltsen, Khenpo Könchog, trans. The Jewel Ornament of Liberation: The Wish-fulfilling Gem of the Noble Teachings. By Gampopa (sgam po pa). Edited by Ani K. Chodron. Ithaca, NY: Snow Lion Publications, 1998. https://www.amnyitrulchung.org/teachings/materials/pdf/Gampopa%20-%20Jewel%20Ornament%20of%20Liberation%20-%20Complete.pdf.

The Story of Angulimala

Book Excerpt

Preface7

Foreword by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama 13 Acknowledgments 14 Translator's Introduction 15 Homage 44 Introduction 45 Part 1: The Primary Cause 47 Chapter 1: Buddha-Nature 49 I. Disconnected Family 50 II. Indefinite Family 51 III. Hearer Family 51 IV. Solitary Realizer Family 51 V. Mahayana Family 53 A. Classification 53 B. Definition 53 C. Synonyms 53 D. Superiority 54 E. Causal Characteristics 54 F. Marks 54 Part 2: The Working Basis 57 Chapter 2: The Precious Human Life 59 I. Leisure 59 II. Endowment 60 III. Trusting Faith 65 IV. Longing Faith 65 V. Clear Faith 65 Part 3: The Contributory Cause 67 Chapter 3: The Spiritual Master 69 I. Reason 69 II. Classification 71 III. Characteristics of Each Classification 72 IV. Method 73 V. Benefits 75 Part 4: The Method 77 Introduction to Part 4 79 Antidote to Attachment to this Life 81 Chapter 4: Impermanence 83 I. Classification 83 II. Method of Meditation 84 III. Beneficial Effects of Meditation 91 Antidote to Attachment to Samsara s Pleasure 93 Chapter 5: The Suffering of Samsara 95 I. All-Pervasive Suffering 95 II. The Suffering of Change 96 III. The Suffering of Suffering 97 A. Hell Realm 97 B. Hungry Ghost Realm 102 C. Animal Realm 102 D. Human Realms 103 E. Demi-God Realm 108 F. God Realm 108 Chapter 6: Karma and its Result 111 I. Classification 112 II. Primary Characteristics of Each Classification 112 A. Non-Meritorious Karma and its Result 112 1. Taking Life 112 2. Stealing 113 3. Sexual Misconduct 113 4. Lying 114 5. Divisive Speech 114 6. Harsh Words 114 7. Idle Talk 115 8. Covetousness 115 9. Harmful Thought 116 10. Wrong Views 116 B. Meritorious Karma and Result 117 C. Karma and Result of Unshakable Meditative Concentration 118 III. Ascription 119 IV. Strict Result 120 V Increase from the Small 120 VI. Inevitability 121 Antidote to Attachment to the Pleasure of Peace 123 Chapter 7: Loving-Kindness and Compassion 125 I. The Practice of Loving-Kindness 125 A. Classification 126 B. Object 126 C. Identifying Characteristic 126 D. Method of Practice 126 E. Measure of the Practice 129 F. Qualities of the Practice 129 II. The Practice of Compassion 129 A. Classification 130 B. Object 130 C. Identifying Characteristic 130 D. Method of Practice 130 E. Measure of the Practice 131 F. Qualities of the Practice 131 Antidote to Not Knowing the Method of Practice for Achieving Buddhahood 133 Introduction to the Antidote to Not Knowing the Method of Practice 135 Chapter 8: Refuge and Precepts 137 I. Foundation 137 A. Mahayana Family 138 B. Taking Refuge in the Three Jewels 138 1. Classification 139 2. Working Basis 139 3. Objects 139 4. Time 141 5. Motivation 141 6. Ceremony 141 7. Activities 143 8. Training 143 9. Beneficial Effects 143 C. Pratimoksa Precepts 144 Chapter 9: Cultivation of Bodhicitta 147 II. Essence 147 III. Classification 147 IV. Objectives 151 V. Cause 151 VI. From Whom You Receive It 152 VII. Method (Ceremony) 153 VIII. Beneficial Effects 168 IX. Disadvantages of Losing It 171 X. The Cause of Losing It 171 XI. The Method of Repairing 172 Chapter 10: Training in Aspiration Bodhicitta 173 XII. Training 173 A. Training in Aspiration Bodhicitta 173 1. Not Forsaking Sentient Beings from One's Heart 173 2. Recollecting the Beneficial Effects of Bodhicitta 174 3. Gathering the Two Accumulations 175 4. Practicing the Enlightened Mind 175 5. Rejection of the Four Unwholesome Deeds and Acceptance of the Four Wholesome Deeds 176 Chapter 11: Training in Action Bodhicitta 179 B. Training in Action Bodhicitta 179 1. Definite Number 180 2. Definite Order 180 3. Characteristics 181 4. Definition 181 5. Division 181 6. Grouping 182 Chapter 12: The Perfection of Generosity 183 I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 183 II. Definition 185 III. Classification 185 IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 185 V. Increase 191 VI. Perfection 191 VII. Result 192 Chapter 13: The Perfection of Moral Ethics 195 I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 195 II. Definition 197 III. Classification 197 IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 197 V. Increase 202 VI. Perfection 202 VII. Result 202 Chapter 14: The Perfection of Patience 205 I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 205 II. Definition 207 III. Classification 207 IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 207 V. Increase 211 VI. Perfection 211 VII. Result 211 Chapter 15: The Perfection of Perseverance 213 I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 213 II. Definition 214 III. Classification 216 IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 216 V. Increase 218 VI. Perfection 218 VII. Result 218 Chapter 16: The Perfection of Meditative Concentration 219 I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 219 II. Definition 220 III. Classification 229 IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 229 V Increase 230 VI. Perfection 230 VII. Result 231 Chapter 17: The Perfection of Wisdom Awareness 233 I. Reflection on the Faults and Virtues 233 II. Definition 235 III. Classification 235 IV. Characteristics of Each Classification 235 V. What is to be Known 236 VI. What is to be Practiced 247 VII. Result 255 Chapter 18: The Aspects of the Five Paths 257 I. Path of Accumulation 257 II. Path of Application 258 III. Path of Insight 259 IV. Path of Meditation 259 V. Path of Perfection 260 Chapter 19: The Ten Bodhisattva Bhumis 263 I. Definition 264 II. Significance of the Buhims 264 III. The Reason Their Classification Is Tenfold 264 A. First Bhumi 265 B. Second Bhumi 267 C. Third Bhumi 268 D. Fourth Bhumi 269 E. Fifth Bhumi 270 F. Sixth Bhumi 271 G. Seventh Bhumi 272 H. Eighth Bhumi 273 I. Ninth Bhumi 274 J. Tenth Bhumi 275 K. Buddhahood 277 Part 5: The Result 279 Chapter 20: Perfect Buddhahood 281 I. Nature 281 II. Significance of the Name 286 III. Classification 287 IV. Definition 287 V. Reason There Are Definitely Three Kayas 288 VI. Characteristics of the Three Kayas 288 VII. Special Traits 292 Part 6: The Activities 295 Chapter 21: Activities of the Buddha 297 I. Activities of the Body 297 II. Activities of Speech 298 III. Activities of Mind 299 Appendices 303 Appendix A: Dharma Lord Gampopa 305 Section 1: A Brief Account of Dharma Lord Gampopa's Life 305 Section 2: Miraculous Manifestations 323 Section 3: Gampopa's Method of Teaching 325 Appendix B: Stories Referred to in the Text 333 Sudhana 335 Sadaprarudita 340 KingAnala 348 Maudgalyayana 351 Sangharakshita 357 Nawa Chewari 362 Old Born 366 King Krika's Daughters 368 Mahadatta 371 King Bala Maitreya 379 Angulimala 381 Udayana 385 Nanda 388 Ajatashatru 393 Appendix C: Outline of the Text 397 Appendix D: A Brief Biography of the Translator 413 Titles of Works Quoted 417 Glossary 427 Notes 437 Bibliography 459

Index 467

Sgam po pa. dam chos yid bzhin nor bu thar pa rin po che'i rgyan. Kathmandu: gam-po-pa library, 2005.